Australian government budget for textiles under fire

An Australian government innovation budget for the textiles, clothing and footwear (TCF) industry is drawing fire from the Footwear Manufacturers’ Association of Australia, Technical Textile and Nonwoven Association (TTNA) and Carpet Institute of Australia. The budget excluded the technical textile sector from a Building Innovative Capacity (BIC) fund, even though it was identified in an independent report on the industry (the Green TCF Report) as “specifically identified in the Green TCF Report as increasingly driven by knowledge and innovation,” according to TTNA executive officer Kerryn Caulfield. Industry Minister Kim Carr defended the budget, suggesting that funding for an Enterprise Connect program to foster collaboration and a TCF innovation council were not being factored into the critiques. “Supporting industry is not just about giving them money,” says Carr.